







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | |
| I don't need to wake up very early. | |
| And the buses always arrive on time. | |
| Does the kid think he is a robot or the robot think it's a kid? | |
| I don't want to live in the suburbs! | |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | |
| Oh f*ck, what kind of tap is this? | |
| It's on the Northern line, the same one we use here. | |
| What is it about? | |
| Thanks Rocco, that's all for now. | |
| Do they weigh them here or at the checkout? | |
| They're there, under the duvet. | |
| Umm, oh yes, I can see it now, the ad number is 9845... | |
| Are they older or younger? | |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | |
| So, I guess you are from Australia. | |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | |